William Shakespeare

Her pretty action did outsell her gift,
And yet enriched it too. She gave it me and said
read more

Her pretty action did outsell her gift,
And yet enriched it too. She gave it me and said
She prized it once.

Thou said'st--O, it comes o'er my memory
As doth the raven o'er the infected house,
Boding to read more

Thou said'st--O, it comes o'er my memory
As doth the raven o'er the infected house,
Boding to all!--He had my handkerchief.

I had rather than forty shillings I had my Book of Songs and Sonnets here. -The Merry Wives of Windsor. read more

I had rather than forty shillings I had my Book of Songs and Sonnets here. -The Merry Wives of Windsor. Act i. Sc. 1.

The quality of mercy is not strained;
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the read more

The quality of mercy is not strained;
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath. It is twice blest;
It blesseth him that gives and him that takes.
'Tis mightiest in the mightiest; it becomes
The throned monarch better than his crown.
His sceptre shows the force of temporal power,
The attribute to awe and majesty,
Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings;
But mercy is above this scept'red sway;
It is enthroned in the hearts of kings;
It is an attribute to God himself,
And earthly power doth then show likest God's
When mercy seasons justice.

How many cowards whose hearts are all as false
As stairs of sand, wear yet upon their chins
read more

How many cowards whose hearts are all as false
As stairs of sand, wear yet upon their chins
The beards of Hercules and frowning Mars,
Who inward searched, have livers white as milk!